Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority

Cyclist InjuriesA Review of 2012 CasualtiesResearch Department, 6th August 2014

This report has been prepared by the Research Department of the Road Safety Authority in response to an increase in cyclist injuries recorded in 2012. The collision data included in this report is based on cyclist collisions that occurred on public roads in Ireland in 2012 and were reported to An Garda Síochána, and these reports were subsequently transferred to the Road Safety Authority for analysis.

A review of cyclist casualties in 2012

1CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

• In 2012 there was a 59% increase in the number of cyclists injured on Irish roads. A total of 630 cyclists were injured, the highest number in the last 10 years. By contrast, there was a decline in cyclist fatalities in 2012 (down from 9 to 8).

• The 2011 CSO Census Report has indicated that cycling is most popular among men, also in Dublin rather than in any other county. It noted a 9.6% increase in the number of people cycling to work between 2006 and 2011.

• Three quarters of cyclists injured in 2012 were male, while over half were aged 25-49.

• The evening and morning rush-hour, followed by lunchtime, are the times of day when cyclists are most likely to be injured.

• The months May through to September represent the most dangerous months of the year for cyclists to be injured on our roads.

• Over 4 in 10 cyclists who were injured in 2012 were cycling for leisure purposes at the time of the collision, while almost 1 in 10 were cycling to/from work.

• Over 8 in 10 cyclist injuries occurred in built up, rather than in rural areas. Over half of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured when cycling in Dublin, by far the most dangerous county for cyclists.

• The most dangerous manoeuvres taken by drivers include right turns, followed by left turns. These manoeuvres by drivers account for almost 4 in 10 injuries to cyclists.

• Almost half of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured at junctions, with T-junctions representing the most dangerous type of junction.

• Three quarters of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured in daylight hours of good visibility.

Summary of main findings

2 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Cycling is well known to be cheap, causes little pollution, and sustains health but cyclists are at risk of road traffic injuries from other road users.1 According to the Central Statistics Office 2011 Census Report, there was a 9.6% increase in the number of people cycling to work between 2006 and 2011 (nationally), rising from 36,306 to 39,803. A further 21,374 people cycled to school or college in 2011. The 2011 census report showed men accounted for the majority (75%) of those cycling: 45,810 of the total of 61,177 cyclists were male.2% of the Irish population cycled to work or school in 2011 (see Figure 1 below).

In 2011, 5% of all road users injured on the road were cyclists (see figure 2 overleaf). Injuries among cyclists are therefore disproportionately high relative to the cycling population.

1. British Medical Association, 1992. Cycling: Towards Health and Safety. Wiley-Blackwell.

World Health Organization, 2013. Quantifying the health benefits of cycling and walking. http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/disease-prevention/physical activity/activities/quantifying-the-health-benefits-of-cycling-and-walking.

Context: growing popularity of cycling

Car Driver

Car Passenger

On Foot

Bus, Minibus or Coach

Other Means (incl. Lorry or Van)

Train, DART or LUAS

Bicycle

Motorcycle or Scooter

0 10 20 30 40 50

0.4%2%3%

5%11%

16%19%

43%

Figure 1: Means of travel (%), 2011 census

3CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Trends in injuries among cyclists Prior to 2012, cyclist injuries represented approximately 2%-5% of all road users injured annually. In 2012, however, there was a marked increase in the number of cyclists injured, up from 395 to 630, a 59% increase. Cyclists share of injuries (relative to other road user groups) increased from 5% in 2011 to 8% of all road users injured in 2012 (see figure 2a). This is the highest level of cyclist injuries observed since 2003.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

■ Other Road User■ Car Users■ Motorcyclists■ Pedal Cyclists■ Pedestrians

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1009% 11% 13%

69%

6%2%11%

6%2%11%

13%

68%

11%

70%

5%3%

11%

9%

71%

5%3%

12%

8%

73%

5%4%

11%

70%

5%5%

11%

68%

4%5%

13%

68%

4%8%

13%

9% 9% 7%

66%

8%4%

12%

65%

10%

4%

13%

All injuries

2003 2004 2005 2006 20082007 2009 2010 2011 2012

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Figure 2a: Share of injuries by road user type, 2003-2012

Figure 2b: Trend in cyclist injuries, 2003-2012

The trend in the number of cyclists injured in collisions over the last 10 years is shown below. There were 630 cyclists who were classified by An Garda Síochána as sustaining a minor/serious injury in 2012.

4 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

1012

62

147

101

6248

0421

4656

1993

13

■ Male■ Female

Unknown65+50-6435-4925-3417-2410-160-90

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Serious Injuries

Killed

2003 2004 2005 2006 20082007 2009 2010 2011 2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Figure 3: 2012 cyclist injuries by age & gender

Figure 2c: Cyclist deaths/ serious injuries, 2003-2012

As illustrated in Figure 2c, the number of cyclists killed annually over the last 10 years peaked in 2007 (15 deaths); but since then there has been a declining trend in number of fatalities occurring annually. The number of serious injuries among cyclists declined in the period 2008 to 2010 but rose sharply in 2012, with almost 30 cyclists seriously injured in that year. (Note: An injury is deemed ‘serious’ by the Garda, and not a medical professional, at the scene of a collision. Serious injuries are underestimated, and a proportion of ‘minor’ injuries are likely to be serious.)

Gender and Age of Cyclist Casualties (All injuries; minor & serious)Three in four cyclists injured in 2012 were male (74%), while over half (57%) were aged 25-49 years as illustrated in figure 3 below. Given the greater popularity of cycling among men (as per CSO), it stands to reason that the greater majority of injury collisions also occur among men. Significantly more males than females were injured in every age category.

5CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

When cyclists were injured Cyclist injuries peaked during May through to September. Over half (54%) of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured during these months.

DecNovOctSepAugJulJunMayAprMarFebJan0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

27

41

60

7972

686262

36

53

3436

SatFriThuWedTuesMonSun0

20

40

60

80

100

120

69

107

89

114

9583

73

Figure 4: 2012 cyclist injuries by month

Figure 5: 2012 cyclist injuries by day of week

More cyclist injuries occurred mid-week than on the weekend, most likely reflecting commuting patterns to and from work/school and habitual cycling routines.

6 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

00:0

023

:00

22:0

020

:00

19:0

018

:00

17:0

016

:00

15:0

014

:00

13:0

012

:00

11:0

010

:00

09:0

008

:00

07:0

006

:00

05:0

004

:00

03:0

002

:00

01:0

000

:000

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

151514

22

42

6466

3735

4545

36

25

3536

56

23

5212

9

Figure 6: 2012 cyclist injuries by hour

Light conditionsThe vast majority (75%) of cyclist injuries occurred in daylight hours with good visibility. Fewer than a quarter of injuries occurred in any type of poor lighting conditions.

Unknown

3%

Dark/No Lighting

1%Dark Road/

Poorly Lighted

4%

Dark Road/Well Lighted

13%Daylight/Poor Visibility

4%Daylight/Good Visibility

75%

Figure 7: 2012 cyclist injuries by Light Conditions

7CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Time of day The greatest number of cyclist injuries occurred in the evening rush hour between 17.00 and 19.00 (21%), but peaks were also observed early morning from 8am to 9am, and at lunchtime between 13.00 and 15.00.

Trip purposeThere was limited information available on the purpose of the trip of the cyclists who were injured in 2012. Where the purpose was stated, over 4 in 10 cyclists (44%) stated that they were cycling for leisure purposes when the collision occurred. Almost 1 in 10 (8%) were travelling to/from work, with a minority stating they were travelling to/from home (2%) or to/from school (1%). In case of almost half of the collisions, trip purpose was unknown.

To/FromHome

2%

To/FromSchool

1%To/FromWork

8%

Unknown/Not Stated

45%

Other Leisure

44%

Figure 8: 2012 cyclist injuries by trip purpose

8 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Vehicle manoeuvres of drivers In the vast majority of cases, cyclists were injured due to a collision with another vehicle. Where another vehicle was involved, over 8 in 10 (83%) of the cyclists injured in 2012 were injured due to a collision with a car while 1 in 10 (10%) were injured due to a collision with a goods vehicle.

Pedal Cycle / Car

Pedal Cycle / Goods

Pedal Cycle / Other-unknown

Pedal Cycle / PSV

Pedal Cycle / Motor Cycle

0 20 40 60 80 100

1%2%3%

10%83%

Turning Right

Turning Left

Exiting / Entering

Taking Avoidance Action

Attempting to Overtake

Changing Lanes

Reversing

Other

0 10 20 30 40 50

50%1%1%2%

4%7%

15%21%

Figure 9: 2012 cyclist injuries by vehicles involved in two vehicle collisionsBase: All cyclists injured in two vehicle collisions (n=586)

Figure 10: 2012 cyclist injuries by manoeuvres of drivers involved Base: All cyclists injured where driver manoeuvre is specified (n=486)

An analysis of the manoeuvres taken by drivers at the time of the collision shows that the most dangerous manoeuvres for cyclists in 2012 were a right turn taken by a driver (responsible for 1 in 5 injuries), followed by a left turn taken by a driver (1 in 6 injuries). Entering/exiting junctions and taking avoidance actions also represent high risk driver actions for vulnerable cyclists as illustrated in Figure 10.

Note: there was insufficient information available to report on the manoeuvres taken by cyclists at the time of the collision.

9CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

LocationOver 8 in 10 (83%) cyclists injured were injured in collisions occurring in urban or built-up areas; and almost 9 in 10 (88%) occurred on two way single carriageways.

Rural

17%

Built-Up

83%

One-WaySingleCarriageway

9%

DualCarriageway

3%

Two-Way SingleCarriageway

88%

Figure 11: 2012 cyclist injuries by urban/rural

Figure 12: 2012 cyclist injuries by road type

10 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Dublin

Cork

Galway

Limerick

Louth

Kildare

Kerry

Other

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

21%3%3%4%4%5%

7%53%

T Junction

Crossroads

Roundabout

Complex Junction

Y Junction

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

2%4%

18%24%

52%

Figure 13: 2012 cyclist injuries by junction typeBase: All cyclists injured where junction of collisions is specified (n=308)

Figure 14: 2012 cyclist injuries by county

Injury breakdown by countyJust over half (53%) of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured in a collision occurring in Dublin. The capital represents by far the greatest proportion of injury collisions involving cyclists, as other major urban centres such as Cork, Galway and Limerick represent a much smaller proportion of injury collisions.

According to the 2011 census report, 6% of those living in Dublin cycle to work (see Figure 16 appendix). However, given that 17% of those injured on our roads in Dublin in 2012 were cyclists (figure 15 appendix), this indicates that cyclists in Dublin are over-represented in injury figures by almost a factor of three. Cycling is therefore a particularly dangerous mode of travel in Dublin per cyclist population.

Note: see table 1 in appendix for full county breakdown

11CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Junction typeAlmost half (49%) of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured in collisions occurring at a junction; where the junction type was specified, it appears that T-junctions are the most dangerous junction types for cyclist injuries (52% of collisions at junctions occurred at this junction type), followed by cross-roads and roundabouts.

Appendix

■ Cyclists■ Motorcyclists■ Pedestrians■ Car Users■ PSV■ Other

0 20 40 60 80 100

Dublin

Cork

Galway

Limerick

Louth

Kildare

Kerry

Other

17%

6% 6% 614% 67%

7% 3% 11% 71% 7%1%

6% 2% 13% 71% 7%

7% 2% 11% 72% 1%6%

7% 3% 10% 73% 7%

5%7% 9% 72% 6%

9%3%4% 75% 8%

6% 20% 53%

1%

3%

■ On Foot■ Bicycle■ Bus, Minibus or Coach■ Train, DART or LUAS■ Motorcycle or Scooter■ Car Driver■ Car Passenger■ Van

0 20 40 60 80 100

Aggregate Rural Area

Remainder of Urban Area

Waterford City & Suburbs

Galway City & Suburbs

Limerick City & Suburbs

Cork City & Suburbs

Dublin City & Suburbs

5%

12%

1%

4% 3% 67% 6% 6%

14%

2%

3% 67% 8% 4%

17% 5% 6% 62% 6% 4%

16%

2%

4% 66% 6% 4%

15% 2% 6% 1% 65% 6% 4%

14% 6% 14% 8% 1% 51% 3%3%

1% 1% 1%

75% 4% 12%

Figure 15: Share of injuries by road user type and county in 2012

Figure 16: % share of means of travelled to work by main population centres in 2011 (census data)

12 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Table 1: 2012 cyclist injuries by county

County Injuries %

Carlow 1 0

Cavan 1 0

Clare 13 2

Cork 46 7

Donegal 7 1

Dublin 335 53

Galway 33 5

Kerry 17 3

Kildare 19 3

Kilkenny 8 1

Laois 11 2

Limerick 25 4

Longford 3 0

Louth 24 4

Mayo 5 1

Meath 13 2

Monaghan 2 0

Offaly 6 1

Roscommon 6 1

Sligo 5 1

Tipperary 7 1

Waterford 12 2

Westmeath 10 2

Wexford 6 1

Wicklow 15 2

TOTAL 630 100

13CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

14

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority

Páirc Ghnó Ghleann na Muaidhe, Cnoc an tSabhaircín, Bóthar Bhaile Étha Cliath, Béal an Átha, Co. Mhaigh Eo.Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

locall: 1890 50 60 80 tel: (096) 25 002 / (096) 25 050 fax: (096) 25 002 / (096) 25 252email: info@rsa.ie website: www.rsa.ie

Working to Save Lives